Fund Boards Council (FBC) corporate members have access to a wide selection of research reports and event summary memos. Below is a short reminder of some materials FBC produced in Q1 2025.
Members can access any of these materials, and more, on our FBC member portal knowledgebase. If you have any issues logging in, please contact the FBC team at contact@fundboards.org
FBC Memos and articles:
FCA Supervisory Priorities: Key Messages for AFM Boards
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a Dear CEO letter to firms in the Asset Management & Alternatives sector on 26 February 2025, setting out their current supervisory strategy. FBC Senior Adviser, Brandon Horwitz, has written a short memo highlighting key messages for AFM fund boards from this Dear CEO letter. The memo also includes key questions that fund boards should be asking to help ensure their firm meets regulatory expectations.
FBC CEO Roundtable memo – March 2025 (meeting by invite only)
These meetings are an opportunity for ACD CEOs (and other senior governance leaders) to discuss topics specific to their role with industry peers in a closed-door, roundtable session. During this meeting, keynote speaker Camille Blackburn from the FCA, laid out the FCA’s asset management priorities for 2025, with a specific emphasis on their plans for private market assets. This was followed by an insightful Q&A discussion.
Consumer Duty Recap memo – March 2025
Simon Hynes, one of FBC’s Senior Advisers, shares his thoughts on some of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s recent Consumer Duty-related publications that are relevant to fund boards, as well as recapping some of FBC’s recent events and research.
FBC research:
Investment Performance Oversight as part of AoV – March 2025
Overseeing investment performance is a key responsibility of the fund board and has been attracting increasing attention since the introduction of the FCA’s AoV requirements in 2019.
This FBC research explored key themes such as the role of the fund board vs. other governance forums, investment performance reporting to the fund board and key metrics & timescales used to judge performance. Overall, our research highlighted the complexity and nuanced nature of judgments required when overseeing performance as well as the importance of fund boards challenging the metrics and conclusions presented by the executive.
FBC news:
Our B Corp Impact Report
In March we shared our first B Corp Impact Report, which shows how we achieved B Corp status last year, what we’ve done since, and our responsible business plans for the next 12 months. We feel privileged to be part of the global B Corp community – a respected group of forward-thinking companies reshaping the role business plays in society. We hope our report inspires you to join us in our mission to create a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
Martyn Gilbey joins FBC
We recently welcomed Martyn Gilbey to FBC, joining our team of Senior Advisers. With over 30 years of experience in the global asset industry, Martyn’s leadership expertise is extensive. From his experience of delivering organic and inorganic growth at scale in a range of markets, to his extensive work with regulators and AFM boards, his insights into governance, distribution, and strategic leadership will be invaluable. We’re excited to work alongside Martyn as we continue to shape the future of fund boards.
What’s coming up in Q2 2025…
Here’s what our Corporate Members can look forward to in the next quarter of 2025:
New FBC research:
The Fund Board Effectiveness Barometer
In April look out for the launch of the next report in FBC’s Barometer research series: ‘Board Assurance reviews: Good practices for reviewing effectiveness’. The in-depth report includes seven key areas of effectiveness, member case notes and a good practice checklist. We’re also excited to let you know how FBC is innovating in this space, with the coming launch of our Fund Board Effectiveness Benchmark model. This new approach to board assurance reviews combines robust methodology and in-depth insight from FBC’s extensive engagement with fund boards, all into a streamlined approach for boards. Stay tuned.
Digital meetings:
10 April- Senior Governance Group (meeting by invite only)
A dedicated group to support senior Company Secretaries and governance professionals with responsibility for fund boards in the UK, Lux and Ireland. The group meets quarterly to share good practice on strategic fund governance and board effectiveness topics. Participation in the group is open to all FBC Corporate Member firms.
21 May- Sustainability Disclosure Requirements
Building on FBC’s existing programme of work in this area, this research explores the evolving requirements on fund boards for SDR, including the naming and marketing rules, implementation of anti-greenwashing rules and product-level and entity-level disclosures.
24 June- Oversight of Distributors
In this session, FBC will explore in detail how firms and their fund boards are approaching their distribution oversight obligations. This work will aim to help member firms compare their own approach to their peers in the industry and identify any opportunities to enhance their work in this area.
In-person meetings
29 April- Luxembourg Roundtable (by invite only)
Representatives from two regulators, the FCA’s Mhairi Jackson and the CSSF’s Marco Zwick, will reflect on key industry regulatory trends, and on the board governance in both jurisdictions. In the second session, FBC Managing Director Catherine Battershill and Capital Group’s Corporate Governance Manager Birgit Moeltner will discuss the role of ManCos and fund boards across Europe.
15 May- iNED Council (by invite only)
At this year’s event, Christopher Davis, the FCA’s Head of Asset Management and Funds Market Interventions, will deliver the keynote address and take questions. FBC will also present details of our comprehensive new proprietary study on fund board iNEDs, followed by a panel discussion.
17 June – Edinburgh Roundtable (by invite only)
FBC is very pleased to host our roundtable for FBC Corporate Members and invited guests in Edinburgh, and we will welcome Aidan McEvoy from the Financial Conduct Authority as our keynote speaker. Agenda to follow.
Want to know more about our plans?
Information about all FBC events planned for 2025 can be found in the events section of the member portal.
Keep an eye out for our event emails which will contain further information about each upcoming event.
Any questions?
If you’re interested in becoming a Corporate Member or for more information on any of the above, please contact the FBC team at contact@fundboards.org – we’ll be happy to help.
Forgotten your Member Portal password?
If you are already an FBC Corporate Member, to reset your password simply go to the Member Portal login page and click ‘Forgot Password’ – a new one will be emailed within a few minutes (please check your spam in case it lands in there!). Once logged in, you can set a new secure password.
